In a little booklet such as this it is even impossible to cover the
subject of gliding flight fully much less power driven aeroplanes, but a
short description of such a machine built by the author, assisted by Mr.
Harold Dodd and Mr. Safford Adams will no doubt interest many since it
has been used successfully as a glider in towed flights.
The machine was attached to an automobile by means of a long piano wire
bridle. It rises at a speed of between 15 and 20 miles per hour and
remains in the air as long as the auto keeps moving at this rate. The
grounds used by the author in his experiments limited the flights to
about 800 feet.
The automobile in one flight traveled about 50 miles per hour, but the
machine soared on a perfectly even keel and without any pitching. Just
as the author was about to descend, the towing wire broke, but the
aeroplane glided so gently to the ground that it was impossible to tell
where it first touched.
The following description of the machine is an extract from an article
written by Mr. R. S. Brown.
"The two supporting surfaces of the aeroplane are five feet wide in the
direction of flight and twenty six feet long. When the machine is moved
rapidly forward, the action and reaction of the still air on the lower
side of the moving surfaces, lifts the aeroplane from the ground and
supports it in the air. The curvature of the planes is that segment of a
parabola, whose depth is one ninth its length. They are spaced one
vertically above the other and about four and one half feet apart in the
middle. The ends converge slightly to make the machine less affected by
cross gusts. The longitudinal curvature of the planes is maintained by
spruce ribs half an inch square and spaced nine inches apart. Their
front ends are ingeniously fastened in brass sockets on the front
horizontal members and their rear ends project about a foot over the
rear horizontal pieces. The fabric a close woven muslin is put on over
the top and bottom of the ribs and is fastened by grommets to a wire
running through the rear ends of the ribs, and by strips of felt
fastened down to the ribs with upholsterer’s tacks.
"The stanchions are six feet apart except the middle two, which are only
eighteen inches apart. The horizontal pieces of each surface are
parallel and four feet distant from each other. All are of selected
spruce, shaped so as to give the greatest strength with the least
resistance to the air, and the least weight. All the many rectangles of
the structure are braced diagonally with steel piano wire. In every one
a small turnbuckle is inserted to adjust the length. The nuclei of these
turnbuckles consists of bicycle spokes. By this wiring a perfectly rigid
truss is formed.
"Ten feet to the rear of the main body, there is a horizontal tail,
which halves a vertical rudder of about the same area. This vertical
surface is movable and turns the aeroplane to the right and left when
moved by rotation of the steering wheel. As can be seen in the
accompanying illustration these rudders are strongly supported from the
principal structure.
"At an equal distance in front of the supporting planes is the elevation
rudder. This consists of two horizontal plane surfaces, six feet by two.
These turn about a horizontal axis transverse to the direction of
flight. Thus the angle which they present to the wind can be altered at
the will of the operator. This is accomplished by pushing and pulling on
the steering wheel. Through the middle of the horizontal surface runs a
triangular vertical plane. This is designed to prevent the turning of
the machine by a gust striking the rear vertical rudder, for if it
strikes both vertical surfaces, one in front and one behind, the two
neutralize each other and no turning takes place.
"On the ground the machine runs on three twenty-inch pneumatic tired
wheels. These were especially made for the purpose, with seamless rims
and heavy motorcycle spokes. Two are set in regular forks of tubing
under the rear edge of the lower plane, while the third wheel is
considerably in advance of the body proper. When running on the ground
preparatory to rising, the machine is carried on these little wheels.
"The operators seat is in front of the supporting planes, and as the
photograph shows is carried on two braces from the front wheel. Sitting
in the seat, the aviator can direct the aeroplane from side to side by
turning the steering wheel before him. This steering wheel is mounted on
a post hinged at the bottom, and by pushing or pulling on the wheel the
aviator is enabled to control his height above ground by means of the
elevation rudder which is connected by a wooden rod to the steering
post.
"Mid-way between the two main surfaces and at the front of each end is a
small plane. These are tilted at positive and negative angles to the
wind, by means of cords connecting them with a pivoted bar moved by the
pilots feet. In flight, if one end rises, the aviator presses down the
end of the bar on the rising side. This causes the ’balancing plane’ on
the high side, which is the name given to the movable planes just
described, to form a negative angle with the wind so that the high side
is forced down. The other balancing plane assumes an equal positive
angle, so as to force up the lower side. Thus the machine is again
brought to an even keel. After a little experience, this action becomes
almost automatic, so that no difficulty is experienced in keeping the
flyer level.
"The motor, which at present has not been installed, will be supported
between the two main planes and connected to a laminated spruce
propeller, six feet in diameter.”
Those who of until late have not been associated with aeronautics can
scarcely realize the steps by which aviation had progressed and the
trend towards building machines.
The aeroplane worker can no longer be classified with the seeker after
perpetual motion. It is therefore to be lamented that so many of these
machines partake of freak construction. Originality is always to be
fostered but must bear some degree of proportion.
Only a very few favored people in comparison to the rest of civilization
have been enabled to see an aeroplane in flight. Many times less are
those who have had the privilege of examining a successful machine.
BOOKS FOR AVIATORS
*THE BAROMETRICAL DETERMINATION OF HEIGHTS.* A practical method of
barometrical leveling and hypsometry. By F. J. B. CORDEIRO. With an
appendix on the Air-Barometer. Full limp leather, $1.00.
*TABLE OF BAROMETRICAL HEIGHTS TO 20,000 FEET.* Computed by William H.
Mackesy. The tables are mainly intended for use with the compensated
mountain aneroid barometer but they are also suitable for the mountain
mercurial barometer. A valuable little set of tables.
*THE ATMOSPHERE ITS CHARACTERISTICS AND DYNAMICS.* By F. J. B. CORDEIRO.
In producing this work the author has endeavored to place before the
public valuable data and information collected by him as to the origin
of hurricanes, their causes and other atmospheric disturbances. In view
of the fact that so much interest is now being taken in the navigation
of the air every scrap of information that can be collected relative to
atmospheric conditions will prove of considerable value to all those
interested in this new science. The work is divided under the following
headings:—Constitution. Temperature and density. Convective equilibrium.
Various atmospheres. Aqueous vapor. Pressure of air. Practical
barometry. Motion relative to the moving earth. Vertical motion.
Horizontal motion. Frictionless motion over a rotating spheroid. Motion
on the rotating earth without friction. General circulation of the
atmosphere. Equatorial circulation. Polar Circulation. Middle
circulation. Planetary circulation. Cyclones. Porto Rican hurricane of
August 8, 1899. Horizontal velocity. Tornadoes. Other Phenomena
occurring in the atmosphere. Sound. Merged explosions. Optical
phenomena. The rainbow. Atmospheric conditions in relation to flying
machines, etc. With numerous tables and 34 illustrations, 4to. Paper
covers $1.50, full cloth, $2.50 net.
*THE THEORY AND PRACTICE OF MODEL AEROPLANING.* By V. E. Johnson, M.A.
The object of this book is to give in plain language the general
practice and principles of Model Aeroplaning. Model propellers and
motors have been carefully dealt with, and much valuable data included
from the author’s own experiments. Contents of Chapters.—Glossary of
Terms used in Model Aeroplaning. Introduction. The Question of Weight.
The Question of Resistance. The Question of Balance. Motive Power.
Rubber Motors and other forms of Motors. Propellers or Screws. The
Question of Sustention. The center of pressure. Materials for Aeroplane
construction. Hints on the building of Model Aeroplanes. The Steering of
the Model. The Launching of the Model. Helicopter Models. Experimental
records. Model Flying competitions. Useful notes, tables, formulae,
etc., etc. 163 pages, 82 illustrations, 12mo cloth, $1.50.
BOOKS ON AERONAUTICS.
*RESISTANCE OF AIR AND THE QUESTION OF FLYING.* By A. Samuelson. An
important lecture of considerable interest to those interested in
Aeronautics. Contents: Introduction. The Resistance of Plastic Bodies.
Air-pressure on Flat Bodies. The Centre of Air-pressure. Distribution of
the Air-pressure on the Single Elements of an Inclined Plane. The Normal
Air-pressure on a Thin Plane Inclined at an Angle to the Direction of
Motion. Lilienthal’s Balance of Rotation. The Numerical Value of the
Normal Pressure. Flying in General. Flying in Reality. Horizontal Flight
by Wing-Flapping. Steering and other Effects of the Stroke. Conclusions.
*23 illustrations, 8vo., paper. 75c.*
*FLIGHT-VELOCITY.* By A. Samuelson. This work is a short comprehension
of extensive scientific investigation and experimental work. Contents:
The Rowing Flyer No. 5. The Motor Mechanism. The Fundamental Conditions
of Flying by Wing Flapping. The Wings. The Re-sail. Flight Velocity.
Living Flyers. Plane or Concave Supporting Surfaces. The False
Resolution of Forces. The Erroneous Opinion: the Breadth of an Incline
Plane Prevails over its Length. The Centre of Air-pressure, and the
Distribution of the Pressure. On the Single Parts of an Inclined Plane.
The Principle: the Normal Air-pressure of an Inclined Plane is
independent of the Angle of Inclination. Tables of Motion at Varying
Angles. The Human Flight. Conclusions. *With five plates, 8vo., paper.
75c.*
*FLYING MACHINES.* Past, Present and Future. A popular account of flying
machines, dirigible balloons. By A. W. Marshall and H. Greenly. Whilst
the matter in this book is intended as a popular exhibition of the
subject, it includes information which will assist the reader with
serious intentions of making an attempt to produce a flying machine or
air-ship. A great deal of sound experimental work has been done, forming
a basis upon which future plans can be calculated. An account of some of
this work is here given. Contents of Chapters: 1. Introduction. Dr.
Barton’s Air-ship. Lebaudy’s Military Air-ship. The Deutsch Air-ship.
The Wellman Air-ship. Motors of the Wellman Air-ship. Chapter 2.
Dirigible Balloons. Giffard’s. Dupuy de Lome. Tissandiers’. Krebes’.
Santos Dumont’s, No. 6 and No. 9. Spencer’s Air-ship. Barton’s. Maxim’s
Flying Machine. Archdeacon’s Air Propeller Cycle. Barton’s, Rawson’s,
Baulx, Zeppelin, Deutsch, Lambert, Wellman’s Air-ships. Trolanini’s
Air-propelled Boat. Chapter 3. Flying Machines. Giving a Number of those
made by Hargrave and also by Phillips, Ader, Maxim, Pilsher’s Soaring
Wings, Langley, Bastine, Bleirot, Voison, Wright’s Gliding Aeroplane,
and numerous others. Chapter 4. The Art of Flying. Chapter 5. Flying
Machines of the Future. *134 pages, illustrations and page plates, 12mo.
50c.*
MODEL AEROPLANES.
*MODEL FLYING MACHINES, THEIR DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION.* By W. G. Aston.
Contents of chapters:—1. General principles and their application. 2.
Power. 3. Supporting surfaces. 4. Screws, and how to make them. 5. Tails
and elevators. 6. Fins. 7. Designs. With a number of examples of
monoplane, bi-plane, tandem bi-plane and tri-plane models. 8.
Dirigibles. 9. Helicopters. 10. Ornithopters. 11. Winding apparatus. 12.
Compressed air motor. A first-rate book for Model Makers, 125 pages, 95
illustrations, 12mo. boards, postpaid, for 55c.
*MODEL GLIDERS, BIRDS, BUTTERFLIES AND AEROPLANES.* How to Make and Fly
Them. A booklet with one large sheet containing twelve butterflies and
two birds in colors and material for making a small card-board Model
Aeroplane Glider. Complete in folder, postpaid, for 55c.
*MODEL AEROPLANES, HOW TO BUILD AND FLY THEM.* By E. W. Twining.
Consisting of one booklet and five large scaled drawings for three
Twining Models, two of them being of the Bi-plane Glider type. Complete
in folder, postpaid, for 55c.
*TWINING’S MODEL NO. 2.* A complete set of the materials in the rough,
including the rubber of a Bi-plane Model without the drawings, postpaid,
for 65c.
*TWINING’S MODEL NO. 3.* A complete set of materials in the rough with
rubber for the construction of this handsome Model Bi-plane without the
drawings, postpaid, for $1.15.
*THE AEROPLANE PORTFOLIO.* By D. Ross Kennedy. Containing nine sheets of
scale drawings of the following celebrated Aeroplanes: Bi-plane
type—Wright, Farman, Voisin, Cody, Herring-Curtis. Monoplanes—Rep.
Antoinette, Santos Dumont, and Bleriot. Each of these machines are here
shown in End View, Plan and Elevation. Including booklet which contains
a description of each machine. This timely set of drawings should prove
of value to everyone interested in this important new industry. The
complete set in folder, postpaid, for 55c.
*THE PERCY PIERCE FLYER.* A large scale drawing of this prize-winning
Monoplane. With all measurements and details showing a front elevation,
a side elevation and a top elevation; with 8-page descriptive booklet of
particulars postpaid, 15c.
*PERCY PIERCE DRAWING,* with booklet and complete set of materials in
the rough from which any one can make an exact duplicate of this dandy
Model complete, postpaid, for $1.15.
*A THREE-FOOT MODEL AEROPLANE.* Bleriot Type. By G. E. Alexander. A
large scale drawing with measurements and descriptive matter showing the
construction of a splendid Model Flying Machine. The Model from which
this drawing is taken has proved a very successful flyer, postpaid for
15c.
GOOD BOOKS FOR WIRELESS OPERATORS.
PART I. PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR WIRELESS TELEGRAPH SETS, Complete
and Detailed Instruction for Making an Experimental Set, also a One to
Five Mile Set, 55 pages, 37 illustrations; price 25c.
Part 2. PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR WIRELESS TELEGRAPH SETS. By A.
Frederick Collins. Will contain complete and detailed data for
constructing a Five to Ten Mile Set, also a Ten to Twenty-five Mile Set,
with about 60 illustrations, and 90 pages. Price, 25c.
Parts three and four in preparation.
MAKING WIRELESS OUTFITS. By Newton Harrison. A concise and simple
explanation on the construction and use of simple and inexpensive
wireless equipments, for sending and receiving, giving full details and
drawings of apparatus, diagrams of circuits and tables. Including the
Morse and Continental Codes. 61 pages, 27 illustrations. Price, 25c.;
cloth, 50c.
WIRELESS TELEPHONE CONSTRUCTION. By Newton Harrison. A comprehensive
explanation of the making of a Wireless Telephone Equipment. Both the
transmitting and receiving stations fully explained with details of
construction sufficient to give an intelligent reader a good start in
building a Wireless Telephone system and in operating it. 74 pages and
43 illustrations. Price, 25c.
TELEGRAPHY FOR BEGINNERS. The Standard Method. An authoritative book of
instruction in the methods and forms most approved, with a series of
lessons. By Willis H. Jones. With the Morse alphabet and the Continental
code. 64 pages, 19 illustrations, paper binding, 25c.; cloth binding,
50c.
INDUCTION COILS. How to Make and Use Them. By P. Marshall. A practical
handbook on the construction and use of sparking coils for wireless
telegraphy. With tables of windings for coils giving 1/4 in. spark up to
12 in. sparks. With full description for the construction of mercury
interrupters. 76 pages, 35 illustrations. Price, 25c.; cloth binding,
50c.
Full descriptive circular of The Model Library Series of practical
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